Travel Trash Bag

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a closure for a flexible bag, the bag having at one end an open peripheral edge and an inside volume. The closure comprises a lid attached at one edge thereof proximate to one portion of the open peripheral edge of the bag. The lid includes at an opposite edge thereof a rail engagement means. An attachment rail is fixed proximate to an opposite second portion of the open peripheral edge of the bag and includes a lid engagement means thereon that cooperates with the rail engagement means of the lid to allow selective opening of the lid to access the inside volume of the bag, and selective closing of the lid to substantially close the one end of the bag. The lid may also include a generally rigid frame having a peripheral edge that includes at least one bag attachment means for attaching the peripheral edge of the frame proximate to the open peripheral edge of the bag. The frame further includes the lid hinged at a pivot means to at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the frame. The lid preferably further includes an aperture therein, the aperture at least partially covered by at least one resilient flap. Each flap is connected by at least one edge to the lid, whereby an object may be inserted into the bag by pressing against each flap to temporarily deform the flap to allow the object to pass through the aperture of the lid. The flaps are preferably defined by a plurality of generally radial slits traversing the lid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to trash receptacles, and more particularly to a trash bag lid for attaching onto a flexible plastic trash bag.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Plastic bags, and particularly plastic trash bags, are widely used as liners for more rigid trash containers. Often such trash containers include lids, which has the advantage of keeping refuse within the container and within the plastic bag. However, it is not always desirable to have a rigid trash container accompany such a plastic trash bag. For example, in the typically confined space of an automobile there is little room for such a trash container. Yet many people desire to have a trash container in their vehicle, and plastic trash bags are well-suited to such an application since they are flexible, and fit into relatively tight spaces, and when empty or only partially full can be flattened so as to occupy a relatively small volume.

Many plastic trash bags include one or more drawstrings used to cinch-up an opening in such a bag so as to prevent trash or other items within such a bag from falling out. Such drawstrings, unless tied, are only temporarily shut by friction, and can readily become loosened. Tying such bags shut to keep its contents secured, however, is inconvenient when the bag is only partially full and is not yet ready to be disposed of. Disposing of a trash bag that is only partially full prematurely is wasteful and expensive. However, many people often find that to be the best solution when trash or other bag contents spill out of the bag undesirably.

Several devices have be invented to address the aforementioned problems with flexible trash bags. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,202 to Raterman on Jul. 26, 2005, teaches a trash bag that incorporates elastic strands or bands at the opening of the bag. While such a device does tend to keep the contents of the bag within the bag, it is not easily used with one-hand, such as while driving, for example. The mouth of such a bag must be opened with one hand while an item is placed into the bag. Similar drawbacks exist with the device taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,800 to Stallworth on Jul. 27, 1999.

Alternately, U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,619, to Sulpizio on Dec. 17, 2002, teaches a device for holding the mouth of a bag open. Clearly such a device allows for one-handed use, but doesn't prevent items from falling or rolling out of the bag if the bag is laying on a surface, such as a vehicle seat or floor, for example. Similar drawbacks exist with devices taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,602 to Coxsey on Sep. 7, 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,339 to Williams on Feb. 2, 1993.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,300 to Rico on Oct. 25, 1983, teaches a plastic frame for attaching to the mouth of a plastic bag. Such a frame may cooperate with a lid that is attached to a wall or other structure. However, such a frame does not include a lid itself, nor does it provide any means for closing the bag when standing alone.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,742 to Fiarcloth, Jr. on Jan. 19, 1999, teaches a lid for a plastic bag that includes a closure therein. Such a device is designed primarily for dispensing a granulated material out of the bag, and as such is not well suited for use as a trash bag closure. This type of device, if used with a bag intended for trash, requires two hands to operate.

Clearly, then, there is a need for an inexpensive means of sealing a plastic bag such that trash or other items cannot inadvertently fall or roll out of the bag, even if the bag is not well supported and subject to rolling around on a surface, for example. Such a needed device would be easy to attach to existing bags, or could easily be included with new bags. Further, such a needed device would allow easy access to the volume within the bag for both small and large items, and would be easy to remove from the bag when the bag is full and is ready to be disposed of. Such a needed invention, moreover, would allow for one-handed use, such as while driving, when placing an item into the bag. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is a closure for a flexible bag that has at one end an open peripheral edge and an inside volume. The closure comprises a lid attached at one edge thereof proximate to one portion of the open peripheral edge of the bag. The lid includes at an opposite edge thereof a rail engagement means.

An attachment rail is fixed proximate to an opposite second portion of the open peripheral edge of the bag and includes a lid engagement means, such as a post with a resilient head thereon. The lid engagement means cooperates with the rail engagement means of the lid to allow selective opening of the lid to access the inside volume of the bag, and selective closing of the lid to substantially close the one end of the bag.

In one embodiment of the invention, the one edge of the lid is attached proximate to the one portion of the peripheral edge of the bag by adhesive. Alternately, the one edge of the lid is attached to the bag by at least one mechanical fastener. A second attachment rail may additionally be fixed to at least two of the mechanical fasteners, and each mechanical fastener traverses the bag. In a similar fashion, the attachment rail may be fixed proximate to the opposite second portion of the open peripheral edge of the bag by adhesive or at least one mechanical fastener.

The lid preferably further includes an aperture therein, the aperture at least partially covered by at least one resilient flap. Each flap is connected by at least one edge to the lid, whereby an object may be inserted into the bag by pressing against each flap to temporarily deform the flap to allow the object to pass through the aperture of the lid. The flaps are preferably defined by a plurality of generally radial slits traversing the lid.

Preferably the lid is substantially rectangular and rigid, made form a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material. The lid may also include a generally rigid frame having a peripheral edge that includes at least one bag attachment means for attaching the peripheral edge of the frame proximate to the open peripheral edge of the bag. The frame further includes the lid hinged at a pivot means, such as a living hinge, to at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the frame. The lid further includes a frame engagement means, such as a plastic post, proximate an edge thereof opposite the pivot means. The frame further includes a lid engagement means, such as a friction-fit aperture, opposite the pivot means. As such, the lid engagement means of the frame cooperates with the frame engagement means of the lid to allow selective opening of the lid to access the inside volume of the bag, and selective closing of the lid to substantially close the one end of the bag. A frame attachment rail is fixed to at least two of the mechanical fasteners for engaging the bag attachment means, such as apertures in the frame.

The present invention is an inexpensive means of sealing a plastic bag such that trash or other items cannot inadvertently fall or roll out of the bag, even if the bag is not well supported and subject to rolling around on a surface, for example. The present device is easy to attach to existing bags, or can easily be included with new bags. Further, the present invention allows easy access to the volume within the bag for both small and large items, and is easy to attach to and remove from the bag. The present device, moreover, allows for one-handed use, such as while driving and when placing an item into the bag. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a lid in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating the lid in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention, taken generally along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the invention, taken generally along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5C is a partial cross-sectional view of another alternate embodiment of the invention, taken generally along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a rail engagement means of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the rail engagement means of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of a lid and the rail engagement means of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a closure 10 for a flexible bag 20, such as a flexible, plastic trash bag 20, that has at one end 24 an open peripheral edge 25 and an inside volume 26.

Alternately, the bag 20 may be a flexible paper bag, and may further include handles 22 (FIG. 3). Indeed, virtually any flexible plastic, paper, Mylar, or other material bag may be used with the closure 10 of the present invention.

The closure 10 comprises a lid 30 attached at one edge 34 thereof proximate to one portion 40 of the open peripheral edge 25 of the bag 20. The lid 30 includes at an opposite edge 36 thereof a rail engagement means 50 (FIG. 2).

An attachment rail 60 is fixed proximate to an opposite second portion 45 of the open peripheral edge 25 of the bag 20 and includes a lid engagement means 70, such as a post with a resilient head 115 thereon (FIG. 5B). The lid engagement means 70 cooperates with the rail engagement means 50, such as an aperture, of the lid 30 to allow selective opening of the lid 30 to access the inside volume 26 of the bag 20 (FIG. 2), and selective closing of the lid 30 to substantially close the one end of the bag 20 (FIG. 3). Other lid engagement means 70 and rail engagement means 50 may be includes, such as magnets, snaps, hook-and-loop type fastener material, or any other suitable fastening means (not shown).

In one embodiment of the invention, the one edge 34 of the lid 30 is attached proximate to the one portion 40 of the peripheral edge 25 of the bag 20 by adhesive 100 (FIG. 7). Alternately, the one edge 34 of the lid 30 is attached to the bag 20 by at least one mechanical fastener 110, such as illustrated in FIG. 6. A second attachment rail 120 may additionally be fixed to at least two of the mechanical fasteners 110, and each mechanical fastener 110 traverses the bag 20 (FIG. 1). Each mechanical fastener 110 may be a post 115 that resiliently deforms through an aperture 125 in the second attachment rail 120 (FIG. 5B).

In a similar fashion, the attachment rail 60 may be fixed proximate to the opposite second portion 45 of the open peripheral edge 25 of the bag 20 by adhesive 100 or at least one mechanical fastener 110, similar to the mechanical fastener 110 illustrated in FIG. 6. In yet another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 5C, a third attachment rail 130 is included for engaging at least one additional mechanical fastener 110 of the attachment rail 60 at the opposite second portion 45 of the bag 20, each mechanical fastener 110 traversing the bag 20.

The lid 30 preferably further includes an aperture 80 therein, the aperture 80 at least partially covered by at least one resilient flap 90. Each flap 90 is connected by at least one edge 95 to the lid 30, whereby an object 15 may be inserted into the bag 20 by pressing against each flap 90 to temporarily deform the flap 90 to allow the object 15 to pass through the aperture 80 of the lid 30 (FIG. 5A). The flaps 90 are preferably defined by a plurality of generally radial slits 98 traversing the lid (FIG. 4).

Preferably the lid 30 is substantially rectangular and rigid, made form a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material. The lid 30 may also include a generally rigid frame 140 having a peripheral edge 142 that includes at least one bag attachment means 150 for attaching the peripheral edge 142 of the frame 140 proximate to the open peripheral edge 25 of the bag 20. The frame 140 further includes the lid 30 hinged at a pivot means 160, such as a living hinge, to at least a portion of the peripheral edge 142 of the frame 140. The lid 30 further includes a frame engagement means 170, such as a plastic post, proximate an edge thereof opposite the pivot means 160. The frame 140 further includes a lid engagement means 180, such as a friction-fit aperture, opposite the pivot means 160. As such, the lid engagement means 180 of the frame 140 cooperates with the frame engagement means 170 of the lid 30 to allow selective opening of the lid 30 to access the inside volume 26 of the bag 20 (FIG. 8), and selective closing of the lid 30 to substantially close the one end 24 of the bag 20. A frame attachment rail 190 is fixed to at least two of the mechanical fasteners 110 for engaging the bag attachment means 150, such as apertures in the frame 140 (FIG. 8). A pull-tab 39 may be included on the lid 30 to aid in the grasping of the lid 30 for opening same (FIGS. 4 and 8).

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, any shape of the closure 10 may be used, such as circular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, or the like. Further, any suitable material may be used to form the closure 10, such as a semi-rigid or rigid plastic material, metal, wood, or the like. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

1. A closure for a flexible bag having at one end an open peripheral edge and an inside volume, the closure comprising: a lid attached at one edge thereof proximate to one portion of the open peripheral edge of the bag, the lid including at an opposite edge thereof a rail engagement means; and an attachment rail fixed proximate to an opposite second portion of the open peripheral edge of the bag, the attachment rail including a lid engagement means, the lid engagement means cooperating with the rail engagement means of the lid to allow selective opening of the lid to access the inside volume of the bag and selective closing of the lid to substantially close the one end of the bag.
 2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the lid further includes an aperture therein, the aperture at least partially covered by at least one resilient flap, each flap connected by at least one edge to the lid portion, whereby an object may be inserted into the bag by pressing against each flap to temporarily deform the flap to allow the object to pass through the aperture of the lid.
 3. The closure of claim 2 wherein the flaps are formed by cutting a plurality of generally radial slits through the lid.
 4. The closure of claim 1 wherein the lid is substantially rectangular and rigid.
 5. The closure of claim 1 wherein the one edge of the lid is attached proximate to the one side of the open peripheral edge of the bag by adhesive.
 6. The closure of claim 1 wherein the one edge of the lid is attached proximate to the one side of the open peripheral edge of the bag by at least one mechanical fastener.
 7. The closure of claim 6 further including a second attachment rail attached to at least two of the mechanical fasteners, each mechanical fastener traversing the bag.
 8. The closure of claim 1 wherein the attachment rail is attached proximate to the opposite second portion of the open peripheral edge of the bag by adhesive.
 9. The closure of claim 1 wherein the attachment rail is attached proximate to the opposite second portion of the open peripheral edge of the bag by at least one mechanical fastener.
 10. The closure of claim 9 further including a third attachment rail for engaging the at least one mechanical fastener of the attachment rail at an opposing side of the bag, each mechanical fastener traversing the bag.
 11. A closure for a flexible bag having at one end an open peripheral edge and an inside volume, the closure comprising: a generally rigid frame having a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge including at least one bag attachment means for attaching the peripheral edge of the frame proximate to the open peripheral edge of the bag, the frame further including a lid hinged at a pivot means to at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the frame, the lid further including a frame engagement means proximate an edge thereof opposite the pivot means, the frame further including a lid engagement means opposite the pivot means, the lid engagement means of the frame cooperating with the frame engagement means of the lid to allow selective opening of the lid to access the inside volume of the bag and selective closing of the lid to substantially close the one end of the bag.
 12. The closure of claim 11 wherein the lid further includes an aperture therein, the aperture at least partially covered by at least one resilient flap, each flap connected by at least one edge to the lid, whereby an object may be inserted into the bag by pressing against each flap to temporarily deform the flap to allow the object to pass through the aperture of the lid.
 13. The closure of claim 12 wherein the flaps are formed by cutting a plurality of generally radial slits through the lid.
 14. The closure of claim 11 wherein the lid and frame are each substantially rectangular and rigid.
 15. The closure of claim 11 wherein the bag attachment means is adhesive.
 16. The closure of claim 11 wherein the bag attachment means is at least one mechanical fastener.
 17. The closure of claim 16 further including a frame attachment rail for engaging the at least one mechanical fastener of the frame at an opposing side of the bag, each mechanical fastener traversing the bag. 